Far Eastern University’s Institute of Law (FEU IL) empowers its community-partners through its law clinics, where the participants are informed of their rights and prepared to act on them.
The program’s main objective is to reach marginalized communities that are often excluded from formal legal resources. Workers, local organizations, and poor urban communities have been among the first beneficiaries of the law clinics. These capacity-building efforts also include training sessions on filing grievances and complaints.
“We started with using our individual connections for partnerships. We asked them about topics, and we created tailor-fit modules and talk. But this time around, FEU IL is the one being invited by several organizations for our free legal services,” said said Atty. Rowena L. Soriano, FEU IL associate dean .
The unique aspect of the law clinics is the inclusion of its students in the process. They are not only making justice accessible for all, but become part of the learning process. Interns volunteer to these law clinics to experience first-hand law consultations on real-life legal concerns.
“It is one of the best ways to teach our students at their early years in law. They can practice what they are learning from our classroom courses and help the vulnerable. It is something that we are proud of. I think we are the only law school in the metro that has this kind of initiative. And you know, these on-hand experiences can be used for their bar exam in the future,” said Soriano.
Soriano added that FEU IL does not intend to simply give their students firsthand experiences, but they also want to contribute to making law accessible to many people.
“For some, the law is intimidating and only for educated ones. But it is not. We are all stakeholders of the law,” said Soriano.
To ensure long-term impact, the FEU IL law clinic series has made a concerted effort to reach younger audiences. Law seminars targeting the youth sector and SK officials cover a range of topics from digital rights to anti-discrimination protections, and laws governing children.
This initiative is particularly relevant in an era where Filipino youths are some of the most active social media users globally. Legal topics exploring issues on safe spaces, cybercrime and cyber security let them understand the importance of knowing the laws. They leave the workshops not only with greater awareness but also with a sense of responsibility toward ethical digital citizenship and their rights in the digital and physical realms.
Expanding its reach
The institute remains committed to ensuring that these law clinics reach more communities in the future. They have in-line future collaborations with new and old partners for the second semester.
“We have an upcoming partnership with FEU lawyers in the Quezon City Civil Registry for a thematic series. Most of the lawyers in QC Civil Registry are our own graduates. They are very kind enough to participate in one-on-one consultations for free. This is pro bono and has continuity,” added Soriano.
Initially, these efforts often faced challenges such as limited resources, logistical constraints, and difficulty in engaging participants consistently. However, the dedication of FEU IL and its students have learned from these experiences, building frameworks that are more inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the unique needs of each community.
This journey toward making local laws more accessible reflects a commitment to continuous learning, resilience, and innovation. By fostering continuous relationships with different organizations and communities, and adapting strategies based on feedback, these initiatives have made a profound impact on individuals’ lives. It is still far from emancipating all Filipinos from misunderstanding laws, but FEU IL law clinics already made valuable steps towards achieving that goal. Now, communities not only gain law knowledge but also experience a growing sense of legal empowerment.
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